The Barbican arts centre in London has pledged to introduce diversity targets for its workforce as part of a commitment to becoming an “inclusive, diverse, and equitable arts centre”. The centre’s leadership apologised for the “pain and distress” experienced by some staff and said it was “committed to becoming an anti-racist organisation, which will not tolerate discrimination, bullying or prejudice”. Its statement comes after the publication of Barbican Stories this year, which contained accounts from staff describing the use of racist language and failure to investigate claims of racist behaviour. The Barbican launched an internal review amid reports of a “mass exodus” of employees. The statement said staff “felt they had to speak publicly to galvanise the organisation and to reveal a culture that must change”. It acknowledged that it had not changed fast enough, but said: “We have listened, continue to listen, and we are responding.” New leadership at the centre was committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, it added. The statement continued: “To change on the outside means changing on the inside. We will diversify our workforce and foster an inclusive culture where all our people feel they belong and are able to bring their whole selves to work. “We will set diversity targets for our workforce, to ensure we become an organisation that looks and feels like the community we are based in. We commit to prioritising representation at a senior level, as well as throughout the organisation. “We are committed to becoming an anti-racist organisation, which will not tolerate discrimination, bullying or prejudice. It is important that each and every person who works at the Barbican feels safe, valued, and respected. “If we are alerted to any offensive, threatening, or intimidating behaviour – by either a colleague, audience member, or collaborator – we will be quick and firm in addressing the issue.” Barbican Stories included accounts of employees being racially profiled by the Barbican’s security staff. Others said they had been assumed to be cleaners, and a black employee recalled being asked if he could sell a colleague cannabis. Several described an environment in which people of colour were openly referred to as a “diversity hire”. Staff recalled being routinely mistaken for other people of the same ethnicity in meetings. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests, the Barbican was one of several British arts institutions, including Tate and Somerset House, which pledged to address inequality.